Sister of S'pore boy, who perished during 2015 Mount Kinabalu earthquake, finishes climb on his behalf

Navdeep Singh Jaryal, who was 13 years old at the time, was proud and excited to have been given the opportunity to be part of a Mount Kinabalu school expedition in 2015.

He was one of the 29 pupils and eight teachers from Tanjong Katong Primary School going on the trip.

However, Navdeep never made it to the summit.

A total of 10 people from Singapore, including Navdeep, perished in a 6.0-magnitude earthquake that struck Sabah, Malaysia on Jun. 5, 2015.

A decade later, the boy's sister completed the climb on her sibling's behalf in his memory.

Photos of climb on her brother's behalf

In a post on Facebook that appeared to have been shared from the sister's social media account, she recounted her journey completing the climb and how she kept her late brother's memory alive.

Most emotional experience

The young lady said she remembers her late brother as a "cheeky and funny boy", who could light up a room with just a smile or a quick-witted comment.

Recalling how Navdeep was "so proud" to have been selected for the expedition, she said he trained with "dedication and determination".

Even though he did not get the chance to reach the summit, his sister said she felt his presence with her when she did her climb.

Calling the climb "one of the most emotional experiences" of her life, she said she carried the memory of her brother with every step she took.

"It was a climb filled with physical challenge, deep reflection, and overwhelming love," she said.

The climb

This climb was not just for her, but for Navdeep and his friends, she added.

Six other students and two teachers from Tanjong Katong Primary School, as well as one Singaporean instructor lost their lives in the tragedy.

Navdeep's sister said she "felt his energy" as she climbed the mountain.

Family and friends also offered their support and "shared their strength", which reminded her that "grief and love often walk the same trail".

"I reached the top not alone, but with Navdeep in my heart. This climb is a tribute to his memory, to his bravery, and to the joy he brought into all our lives," she said.

"He may not have reached the summit in body, but his soul lives in every sunrise over Kinabalu," she said.

Sabah quake

On the morning of Jun. 5, 2015, a rare 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck Sabah, sending rocks cascading down Mount Kinabalu.

A group of pupils from Tanjong Katong Primary School, including Navdeep, and eight teachers were attempting the Via Ferrata trail when the earthquake struck.

The Ministry of Education later clarified that they were on a "simpler" and "shorter" route, which was 281m long instead of the original 430m route.

Other than those who perished, other students and teachers also suffered injuries and were treated at the hospital.

The country mourned the loss of the 10 people from Singapore through the National Remembrance Day on Jun. 8, 2015.

The quake also took the lives of six Malaysians, one Chinese and one Japanese national.

Top photos from Mount Kinabalu/Facebook